Mexico/Guatemala: Earthquake - Sep 2017

Ongoing

Glide: EQ-2017-000128-MEX

Overview

Mexico

According to the [BBC], an 8.1-magnitude earthquake on the Richter Scale struck off the Pacific Coast of Mexico--around 87km (54 miles) south-west of Pijijiapan--at 23:50 local time on Thursday, 7 September 2017 (04:50 [GMT] Friday). A tsunami warning was issued for Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras; however, it was later lifted. An estimated 50 million Mexicans felt the tremor per the Mexican government. (IFRC, 8 Sep 2017)

Search and rescue operations continue and the death toll, according to national authorities, has now reached 90, of which 71 are in the state of Oaxaca, 15 in the state of Chiapas and 4 in the state of Tabasco. According to media, as of 11 September at 6.30 UTC, thousands of houses have been damaged and over 2 million people have been affected in the country. (ECHO, 11 Sep 2017)

Shelter destruction and damage to health and education infrastructure is most notable. However, there are also risks of food shortages in Oaxaca in Mexico as stores remain closed and prices are increasing. (ACAPS, 11 Sep 2017)

On 3 October, The President of the Republic toured the municipality of Asunción Ixtaltepec in the state of Oaxaca. In this municipality began the formal stage of reconstruction of houses and economic revival. In this way, the delivery of support began to those who had partial or total affectation in their homes because of the September 7 earthquake. In total, More than 7 billion pesos will be used to rebuild housing in Chiapas and Oaxaca. (Gov't of Mexico, 3 Oct 2017)

Guatemala

According to a report from Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Relations, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook various departments in the country at 22:49 local time (04:49 GMT) for 1 and 33 seconds; the earthquake’s epicentre was 203 km to the west of San Marcos, with a profundity of 10 km. (IFRC, 8 Sep 2017)

The Government of Guatemala stated that the damage assessments and needs analysis of affected areas continue and that identified 18,810 people as affected by the disaster and damages to 2,570 houses for now. The assessments were developed by entities that are part of the System of the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED). (Gov't of Guatemala, 12 Sep 2017)

The department of San Marcos has been declared on red alert to be of service to the more than 10,600 affected by the 7.7 Richter scale earthquake that was registered in Guatemala. According to Conred's report, there were 205 incidents in San Marcos, which left 4 injured, 10,615 people affected, 1,752 victims, 714 homes with severe damage, of which 94 houses, 21 schools, 4 highways, 10 buildings and 5 churches affected. (Gov't of Guatemala, 13 Sep 2017)

An earthquake with 8.1 magnitude, at a depth of 70 km struck off the coast of Mexico on the 8th September 2017 at 2017-09-08 04:49:21 UTC time. According to USGS PAGER Report, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction, the predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block with concrete bond beam and mud wall construction. Casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.

Fifty-eight people have been confirmed dead after a massive earthquake struck southern Mexico Thursday night, the governor of Oaxaca said Friday.

Governor Alejandro Murat told reporters that 17 of those confirmed dead came from the town of Juchitan, located near Mexico's southeastern tip. The city was devastated, and streets were filled with debris. Much of Juchitan's city hall building collapsed into a pile of rubble.

An earthquake of magnitude 8 M at a depth of 35 km occurred near the southwestern coasts of Chiapas State on 8 September at 4.49 UTC. The epicentre was located approx. 96 km southwest of Pijijiapan city (population 15 400 people). USGS PAGER estimated a shaking up to "Severe" for 161 000 people and up to "Very Strong" for 920 000 people.

DC is closely monitoring the recent M8.1 earthquake reported to have occurred 87km SW of Pijijiapan, Mexico at 04:49 UTC on 08 September (U.S. Geological Survey) and Tsunami Threat. Attached is a PDC Situational Awareness Product depicting estimated Tsunami Travel Times from the source to coastal locations. Please see below for additional information, as well as monitor DisasterAWARE for further updates.